Columbia Life Ins. v. Githens
Columbia Life Ins. v. Githens
Opinion of the Court
Clarence Githens brought suit against the Columbia Life Insurance Co. in the Montgom
There was no provision in either the note or the mortgage for the payment of attorneys fees and none were actually allowed in the foreclosure case. It appears however, that the policy had been pledged as further security for the mortgage debt and that the assignment of the policy provides that if Githens shall pay the note and save the Company harmless from any loss, then the assignment shall be void, otherwise to remain in full force and effect. The lower court did not allow the attorney’s fees and upon prosecution of error, the Court of Appeals held:
1. It is claimed that under the assignment the Company was authorized to deduct from the amount realized from the foreclosure, the ■attorneys fees incurred in the suit.
2. It must be kept in mind that the action in which the attorney’s fees were incurred, was not an action against a stranger; but one against the parties interested in the insurance policy.
3. A stipulation for payment of attorney’s fees in promissory notes in case the principal and interest be not paid at maturity, is contrary to public policy and void. Miller v. Kyle, 85 OS. 186-
4. So even though the assignment of the insurance policy was sufficiently comprehensive in its terms to include attorneys fees in the foreclosure suit, such stipulation would be contrary to1 public policy and void.
Judgment therefore affirmed.
Reference
- Full Case Name
- COLUMBIA LIFE INS. CO. v. GITHENS
- Cited By
- 1 case
- Status
- Published